Dec. 7, 2005, 12:20AM Fists start flying after Texans' 11th loss It's a 'dead issue' now after Mathis, Rivers fight on bus By JOHN MCCLAIN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Receiver Jerome Mathis and tight end Marcellus Rivers have assured Texans coach Dom Capers that their fight on a team bus will not affect their relationship or their performance in the last four games of the season. After the Texans returned to Houston from the 16-15 loss to Baltimore on Sunday, Mathis and Rivers got into an argument on the ride from the airport to Reliant Stadium, where the players park their cars. Witnesses said each player landed a punch before teammates broke it up. "The players that were involved came to my office to explain what happened," Capers said Tuesday. "They said it was over, that it was a dead issue and that there wouldn't be any lingering effects. That's good enough for me. Our focus is on preparing for Tennessee." The Texans have a 1-11 record, the worst in the NFL, entering Sunday's game against the Titans in Nashville, Tenn. Mathis and Rivers will not be disciplined, unlike free safety Marcus Coleman, who was deactivated for the Baltimore game after he missed the Saturday morning walk-through. Mathis, the fourth-round pick from Hampton, is the NFL's second-leading kickoff returner with a 30.8-yard average and two touchdowns. He has three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. Rivers, who spent his first four seasons with the New York Giants before signing with the Texans in the offseason, is a reserve who has eight catches for 68 yards — both team highs among tight ends. I mean its bad but isn't this a NEW low?
Hell, I don't blame them. If I played on a team that bad, I'd probably want to punch my own mother. Here's hoping for Reggie Bush and a much-improved team next season.
Why would Capers do that? He knows he's most likely gone next year, so he gets no benefit from tanking.
I thought cutting Billy Miller was a big mistake too. He was under used last season and the Texans wondered why Andre's production fell off towards the end of last season. They got too excited when Matt Murphy got his one touchdown catch during the preseason.
